ULF supports autonomous region demand

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 September 2002, 13:15 GMT]"The division of the country is inevitable if the majority Sinhalese fail to accept the concept of an autonomous region for Tamils," said the President of the United Left Front (ULF) Dr.Wickremabahu Karunaratne in an interview with the state run Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) Saturday.

The leader of the ULF appealed to patriotic citizens to support the peace efforts now being taken forward by the Prime Minister and the leader of the LTTE.

"The LTTE has now consented to work together with all communities and are only demanding that their fundamental rights are respected within the framework of internal self-determination. It is a positive sign that the LTTE has agreed for a autonomous unit with all communities in the northeast region," said Dr.Wickremabahu Karunaratne.

He hoped that the next round of talks scheduled for October 31 would focus on establishing an interim administration council for the northeast and the constitutionalization of this administrative structure within the legal framework of the SriLankan state. Majority Sinhalese should grasp this final opportunity to find a political solution to the conflict ensuring permanent peace in the island within a united Sri Lanka, he said.